Can't stop eating something when I wake up during the night

Are you setting overall appropriate goals, and not trying to be too aggressive?

Depending on how much you have to lose, your goal should be anywhere from 0.5 lb/week or less, to 2 lb/week, but don't just do the mistake almost everyone does and go with "faster is better". It's better to have an easier target that you hit reliably versus a great goal that you often miss. I once had a laughably low goal of 1300 per day (for a 320 lb. man) and it was hell. Eating 1800/2200 on my rest/workout days has been extremely successful. The funny thing is that upping my calorie goal actually reduced my average calorie intake, just because now I actually meet my goal and don't binge on anything.

I'd definitely start tracking your protein and ensuring you get enough - it's very satisfying, and if you don't eat your minimum protein needs, your body has to scavenge muscle tissue for amino acids, which has many negative effects on your health. As a vegetarian, you'll need to work harder on some aspects of nutrition compared to an omnivore - complete protein is important, as is vitamin B12, both things that are commonly deficient in a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Emotional eating is challenging. I have found Geneen Roth is interesting as an author and she approaches emotional eating from a perspective I hadn't considered. It might be worth looking at some of her books.

bellabonbons wrote: »

Yes that's exactly what happens I think I have so many things going on and thinking about when I go to bed I just really can't sleep and I feel that eating could help. I usually eat a banana or drink a glass of orange juice or grab a piece of cheese. Will definitely get the book. For many of us who struggle with food, dealing with setbacks can be very difficult and challenging it's either all or nothing.

This all sounds so familiar. You can do it. Just take small steps and be patient with yourself.

I feel like I can't really control that I am hungry during the night, especially on days when I work out. But if I think I can control what I eat somewhat. What would be something that would not be terrible to eat if you just had to have something at that time?

MikeSanchez2323 wrote: »

I feel like I can't really control that I am hungry during the night, especially on days when I work out. But if I think I can control what I eat somewhat. What would be something that would not be terrible to eat if you just had to have something at that time?

Sometimes I will put my yogurt in the freezer earlier in the evening and then have it later when I have cravings for a dessert, and it does feel like you are having a frozen yogurt treat. I like strawberry best!

I had 35 pounds to lose and eating in the middle of the night was/still is at times an issue for me. It's like I worked so hard during the day to restrict that I would finally let my guard down Once I went to bed so it was like I was safe to eat something. I almost would trick myself into believing in that sleepy groggy state that those calories didn't count. So I do a few things. One- I save a good portion of my calories for dinner and after dinner time. This works for me bc I need to be able to go to bed with some food on my stomach in order to sleep well. If I wake up super hungry, I will not be able to resist. Two- I keep something carbonated in the fridge to go to at night. Diet Sprite normally. And I just drink a little bit. But it gives me something to do when I wake up and it's a pleasing taste and it's cold and kind of wakes me up enough to be able to get a hold of myself and go back to sleep. Three- through trial and error I had to identify the foods in my house that were much to easy to go to in the middle of the night and I had to stop buying it. I know this is easier said than done. Good luck! It's like anything, it takes practice. Also another thing you can do to make your middle of the night eating kinda hurt a little bit mentally is logging it all the next morning. I hated seeing my night food there detracting from my daily calorie allotment.